Rye City Manager Marcus Serano is being probed by the Westchester DA on if he omitted the disclosure of email in response to a FOIL request by long time city critic and gadfly Tim Chittenden.
(PHOTO: Former Rye cop and city critic Tim Chittenden submitted the original FOIL request.)
LoHud.com had the story:
"Rye City manager Marcus Serrano faces district attorney probe on withheld emails
RYE — City Manager Marcus Serrano is facing an investigation by the Westchester County District Attorney over an apparent withholding of emails requested by a city critic.
Serrano allegedly signed an affidavit saying he had released all the requested emails, but only to learn later that he had omitted 36 pages that should have been included, according to documents obtained the Journal News/lohud.com
The investigation was turned over to the district attorney, Public Safety Commissioner Michael Corcoran and Mayor Joshua Cohn confirmed.Corcoran didn't comment further.
The District Attorney's Office declined to comment on potential investigations.
When reached by phone, Serrano said he didn't do anything wrong.
"Any complaints against high-level officials in the City of Rye is routinely turned over to the district attorney for review," Serrano said in a statement.
What sparked the probe?
The emails were originally requested on June 8, 2017, by Tim Chittenden, a city critic and former police officer who made the original Freedom of Information request to "investigate a rumor" that Serrano's wife, Sandra, was performing some of his tasks in Rye. A similar request was made to Yorktown.
…If Serrano knowingly lied on the affidavit, he can be subject to removal from the position or face lawsuits, said Carlisle, who specializes in the legal profession, ethics and professional responsibility."
I find it interesting that the residents consistently reporting on the illegal activities in our local government are considered gad flies. I don’t remember one time he was wrong. He is good at it, because he was the best Cop Rye ever had! The City made a big mistake when they went after him with bogus charges. I personally commend Tim and his efforts over the years to expose the local corruption.
(Assistant Director of the New York State Department of State, Committee on Open Government)
From: “O’Neill, Kristin (DOS)”
Date: May 18, 2018 3:45:10 PM
To: (Rye Taxpayer redacted)
Subject: RE: A question Re: Written Verification
“Under these circumstances, yes, I believe the City should provide you with a second certification that no additional records, beyond those provided and those that have been denied consistent with Section 87(2) of FOIL, are possessed or maintained by the City or have been located after a diligent search.”
Series Part 9 of Rye’s Poisoned Greens is gonna be a smoker.